Although it hasn't been seen on camera before, there have long been hints that plants detect chemical signals from nearby plants and respond to them like this. But the article doesn't really provide enough information to support its implication that there is an "intent" by the damaged plant to communicate. To put it in human terms: Say you're walking down a sidewalk and see fresh bloodstains. You would determine that someone was recently hurt there, and consider that you might be in danger as well. You can't assume that the bloodstains were left by the injured person as a warning or call for help. They might have been - but they may just be the unavoidable result of the injury. On the other hand, if you hear someone scream "Help!" you know that's an attempt to communicate. We can't determine from the information in this article if the release of the methyl jasmonate is more like a bloodstain (direct or instinctive response to the injury) or a cry for help (attempt at communication). Still, it's fun to speculate that plants "talk" to each other, and wonder how extensive the communication is. :-) Straying OT: Bacteria and other single-celled organisms have been observed to respond to chemicals released by nearby members of their species, and some bacterial colonies may chemically coordinate activities. Science fiction writers have been speculating about plant, bacterial, and cellular communication for decades. Some of them depict plants as evolving a sort of group mind, with each plant acting somewhat like individual neurons do in our brain. Communication between each plant "neuron" occurs chemically, either through soil/roots, airborne chemical releases, or more rarely, pollen. Interestingly enough, the plant colonies are usually depicted as benign, but the bacterial or cellular intelligences are often depicted as the end of humanity. (Look up the "grey goo" hypothesis if you're interested. Be prepared to be creeped out!)

Love Hanna Anderson. When DD was younger, I had a field day with their clothing. Especially loved the pj's. I actually would buy "Christmas" pj's - matching for DD & me. Their clothing is not inexpensive, but you can't wear it out. Also, HA used to have a policy wherein you could return clothing which was outgrown and they in turn, provided same to women and children in need. Great way to give back. My favorite baby gift is the sweater set. It's a splurge, but make a really nice gift once the baby arrives. Oh, and the tatoo thing. I don't mind tats at all. Just lived through the popularity of the super low jeans and the tatoo right above the crack of these young girl's butts. Not a very feminine look and combine it with a pair of thong panties meant to hang out above the jean line. UGH Worked with way too many young female file clerks who thought that was an attractive look.

Thanks all, very very helpful info. Boxerpups, special thanks for these great photos, would never guess where the seams are in your counters. If things would work out so well for us, I would prefer they use caution with my handpicked slab and add a seam. You make a very good point about my confidence in the fabricator also. I think that must be the true source of my uneasiness. I do feel they are competent because they give all the right answers to questions (that I learned to ask from this forum), and they are well established in this area, but I just didn't click with the salesman and I only overlooked that because our contractor, who is wonderful, overall likes them. The owner also is great. So every time the salesman tells me something, I don't trust him. So I think what I will do is ask about their ability to hide seams and show them your photos if you don't mind--to give them an idea what our expectations are. Then I can put this to rest and move on. Thanks so much again everyone! And please stay tuned for backsplash questions, that is the next step!!

She may not be out of the woods yet. You need to hire an attorney to get the arrest records expunged or sealed. Many employers now just hire out their records search to an agency who will run the arrest record and conviction record. Since your daughter was arrested for a felony it will still be a matter of public record and searchable. Getting the charges dismissed means that she wasn't convicted but unfortunately, innocent until proven guilty doesn't mean anything to an employer. They get to set the rules they care about, and if they care about charges (which they probably will) then you still can't get the job. Before anyone goes crazy on companies, this is a problem with a litigious society. Employers could be on the hook for their employees' actions if those actions were foreseeable (such as public record for arrests).